He let out a little laugh. ‘I’ll arrange for Mags to come and speak to you. And here was me thinking that our brand-new paediatrician would ridicule me and tell me I’d missed some unknown, vital syndrome. You’ve no idea how relieved I am to hear you say you think it’s something much more fundamental—much more basic.’
She gave a shrug of the shoulders. ‘Sometimes it’s easier for an outsider to say the words that the rest of you have been thinking.’
She lifted her chin to meet his gaze. There was silence. His blue eyes were fixed on hers. They were only a few feet apart. Close enough that she could see the tiny laughter lines around his eyes, along with skin that was slightly weather-beaten by the glimpses of Scottish sun and Ayrshire winds.
It was unnerving. And she didn’t like it.
She didn’t like the way her stomach was doing flip-flops. She didn’t like the way that even when he annoyed her he could still make her smile.
She wasn’t used to this. It had been so long since she’d ever felt anything like this, she almost couldn’t recognise the signs.
It didn’t help that she knew next to nothing about him. For all she knew, he could be the island Lothario with half a dozen women to his name. And he was a colleague. It could only be a recipe for disaster.
She tilted her head to the side. Some of his words had triggered something in her brain. ‘What would we do with appendicitis, anyway?’
He pointed skyward. ‘That would be another one for the emergency helicopter and a quick transportation to the Ayrshire General Hospital.’ He gave a fake shudder, ‘In our worst case scenario, if the helicopter couldn’t land we’d have to muddle through with our emergency theatre.’
Gemma shuddered too. Only hers wasn’t so fake. ‘Why wouldn’t the helicopter be able to land?’
He lifted his hand. ‘Lots of reasons. They could already be on a callout to somewhere miles away. Occasionally the helicopters are grounded due to engine problems. But the main issues around here are because of the weather. There can be some fierce storms around Arran, and even fiercer winds. The pilots are the bravest men I’ve ever met, but if it’s not safe to land—they won’t.’
She gave a little smile. ‘In that case, bags I the anaesthetist role. You can do the surgery.’
His eyebrows rose. ‘Bags? Wow. I haven’t heard that expression in years—since I was about six and in the school playground.’
‘You have now.’ She winked. ‘Maybe I’m just showing my youth, and you’re really an old crock.’ It was too easy. It was too easy to flirt naturally with him.
His face broke into a smile. ‘All this for the price of a strawberry tart. You’re a cheap date, Dr Halliday.’
She stood up and straightened her skirt. ‘Actually, that will have to be two strawberry tarts, Logan. I’m part of a unique partnership and I can’t have one without my girl.’
She walked towards the door, aware that his eyes were on her behind. She had to get it out there. No matter how subtle the words.
Every now and then he flirted with her. And while flirting was always harmless, she was part of a pair. She didn’t want him to think for a second she could entertain him without giving thought to her daughter.
It was better to just have it out there, right from the start.
Her hand reached for the door. He hadn’t said anything. Maybe it was for the best.
‘Gemma?’
She spun around, just a little too quickly for her own liking. ‘Yes?’
‘The strawberry tarts. I’ll bring them around tonight.’ He turned back to his computer and started typing.
She sucked in a breath and tried to stop her feet from running down the corridor. What on earth was she doing?
CHAPTER FOUR
LOGAN PULLED UP outside the house and ran his fingers through his hair. He’d hardly had any sleep last night and had just jumped in the shower and dressed without even taking a look in the mirror. Hardly impressive. Ouch. His finger scratched the stubble on his chin. He hadn’t even thought to shave.
Gemma pulled open the door and strolled over towards the car. Funnily enough, she looked as though she’d had the best sleep in the world. Her hair was loose and shiny, her red dress skimming her curves. There was nothing unprofessional about her appearance—every part of her that should be covered was covered, with only the tiniest glimpse of some tanned legs and red sandals. But that hadn’t stopped an instant temperature rise in the car.
He tried to hide his smile. Gemma Halliday certainly wasn’t sore on the eyes.
He rolled down his window. ‘Ready for the island tour?’ They’d arranged this last night—before he’d been kept up most of the night. It only seemed fair that he showed her around a bit more. Then at least Gemma could do some of the outlying surgeries or some of the more rural home visits.
She held up the big lump of grey plastic in her hands. ‘Just as soon as we get the car seat in. Isla’s looking forward to it.’
He opened his door. ‘Isla’s coming with us?’ Darn it. He hadn’t even considered the little girl.
Gemma nodded. ‘Your mum had something on this morning, and since we’re only going around the island in the car—and not seeing any patients—I assumed it wouldn’t be a big deal.’
She leant passed him, pulling his seat forward and expertly situating Isla’s car seat in the back of the car. He hadn’t missed the ‘argue-with-me-if-you-dare’ slant to her words.
She folded her arms across her chest and leaned against the car. He shook his head. ‘Sorry, Gemma, single man occupational hazard. I should have invited her along. I’d love to have Isla come with us.’
She smiled. A smile that reached right up into her deep brown eyes. ‘I thought you might say that.’ She looked over at the house. Isla was now arranging her colourful toy ponies on the front step. ‘Two, Isla, you can only bring two,’ she shouted, as she walked back to the front door.
There was a tiny mother-daughter altercation on the step, with a little tugging and pulling between the brightly coloured ponies before a few were left behind the locked door.
Isla stomped over to the car, brandishing her prizes. ‘This is Whirlwind and this is Lightning.’ She held up first a green and then a pink pony. She rolled her eyes. ‘I wanted to bring Stargazer so you could meet him too, but Mummy made me leave him behind.’ Without further ado she jumped into the back of the car and fastened her own seat belt, giving her mother a stern look.
Logan gave Gemma a wink as she climbed into the passenger seat. ‘How about I introduce you to some real live Shetland ponies at one of the farms today, Isla?’ He gave her a smile. ‘They might not be pink or green, but they’re just about your size and I’m sure you’ll be allowed to touch them.’
‘Will I? Really?’
He climbed in an
d started the engine. ‘Really.’ He turned to face Gemma, who was looking at him with a clear glimmer of amusement on her face. ‘I take it that’s all right with you?’
She half laughed. ‘I was wondering how long it would take her to wind you around her little finger.’ She leaned forward, her hair brushing against his arm. ‘I’ll let you into a secret, Isla Halliday has it down to a fine art.’
He laughed. ‘Where do you think she learned it from?’
Gemma pressed the button to put the window down and let some of the sea air rush through the car. ‘I have no idea what you’re implying, Dr Scott,’ she teased, as a whole wave of her light perfume drifted over towards him.
She leaned back in the car seat. ‘I know I agreed to work longer hours, but this is the last few weeks of the summer holidays.’ She cast a glance backwards to where Isla was carrying on a conversation between her two ponies. ‘And I just can’t bear the thought of not spending time with her. In a few weeks she’ll be at school full time.’ She let out a sigh. ‘And I’ll feel positively ancient.’ She looked out at the passing view of Lamlash. ‘Where are we headed anyway?’
Logan couldn’t stop smiling. Ancient. She looked anything but. And it certainly wasn’t one of the adjectives he’d use to describe her. ‘We’re going to Blackwaterfoot at the other side of the island. We have a satellite clinic there, and there are a few of the bigger farms that I want to point out to you en route.’
‘How often is the clinic open at Blackwaterfoot?’
‘Only once a week. It’s about a thirty-minute drive. But it’s a nice one—right around the coast.’
‘Are we going to stop there today?’
Logan held up a set of keys. ‘Sure. Luckily enough, it happens to be right next to a fish and chip shop, so I might introduce you and Isla to some of the local cuisine.’
Gemma raised her eyebrows. ‘You already promised that—and reneged.’
Logan shook his head with embarrassment. ‘The strawberry tarts. Yeah, I’m sorry. I was on call last night and was up half the night.’
‘What happened? And what happened to “You won’t be called out much”?’